Emma blog on volume II

Volume II gives greater clarification into why Emma struggles with these various mixed emotions. The first aspect I looked at in preparation for my seminar was what characters connected to Emma in significant bonds and what that told me about Emma. There is the connection between her and Mr. Elton, Mr. Frank, Jane, and even Ms. Elton. I looked at Emma and Jane as “frienemies” similar to my teacher’s thoughts.

I believe that she wants to like Jane because she sees the genuinely good nature that she possesses; however, she will not allow herself to because she is jealous of these same qualities. She sees the lack of heart in herself, “Why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a difficult question to answer: Mr. Knightley had once told her it was because she saw in her the really accomplished young woman, which she wanted to be thought herself” (Ch. 20). Ironically Jane is not even a truly accomplished woman; she simply got into upper society after being rescued by colonel and guidance from Emma. The fact that Jane has the potential to use her knowledge and attract respected men such as Knightley scares Jane. Emma is threatened by the appearance of power in anyone in her society even if she has helped them; there is almost a necessity to control her environment due to fear. This quote shows the jealousy she feels towards her, but she also struggles with the thoughts of admiration, “It was a style of beauty, of which elegance was reigning character, and as such, she must, in honour, by all her principles, admire it: elegance, which, whether of person or of mind, she saw so little in Highbury. There, not to be vulgar, was distinction and merit” (Ch.20). Emma has selectively chooses when to judge based of appearance and when to get to know a person. There is no denying the pleasant presence that she brings to her environment and it scares Jane that she carries more personality and care when dealing with others.

What I learned from this volume is that although appearances may seem to reveal one thing they can have multiple meanings. In the beginning I viewed Emma was selfish and spoiled, but she is really a product of her environment. During the regency era women were expected to be the entertainment and act civilized. She is forced to paste on this fake smile even in the presence of her enemies; therefore even when she makes a mistake she has been programmed to not acknowledge it, “It was a bad business. She would have given a great deal, or endured a great deal, to have had the Martins in a higher rank of life. They were so deserving ….Impossible! She could not repent.” (Ch. 23). Emma was blind at first, not asking people if they even wanted her help, but she makes progress in the fact that she can acknowledge when her plan backfires. I cannot fault her for sometimes appearing malicious and uncaring because at times we all can act the same way. Austen created this character to act as a mirror for ourselves. We are quick to stand by our decisions and attain power, but where do we draw the line?